NASHIK: As a result of last year’s heavy rainfall, even though we have reached at the mid of July, the 24 reservoirs in the district including seven big and 17 medium projects have a satisfactory water storage at 27% (18042 mcft of the total storage capacity of 65664 mcft). Last year, it was 34 per cent during the same period. In the meantime, 3113.3 mm of rainfall was recorded from June 1 to July 13 in the district.
While Nashik has so far received rainfall (SRF) of 122.3 mm. From June 1 to July 13, Igatpuri tehsil has received 750 mm rainfall, followed by Surgana (481.8 mm), Peth 366.4 mm, and Trimbakeshwar 290.0 mm. Like previous year, this year, even if the arrival of monsoon is assumed to be delayed a little bit after some spells in May and at the beginning of June, there seems to be no shortage of water due to satisfactory water stock in reservoirs. The district has been receiving satisfactory rainfall for the last two years.
In 2020, Girna dam, the largest dam in North Maharashtra, apart from the Gangapur and Darna medium capacity dams, were 100 per cent full for the second year in a row. Other small and large dams were also flooded while discharge of water was continued from big dams. Therefore, even though the month of July dawned this year, the dams has, satisfactory water reserves. Despite the rotation for agriculture and industry this summer, the dams still have a satisfactory water reserve.
The Gangapur dam, which quenches the thirst of Nashik city, has 34% water storage at present. Last year it was 52 per cent, while the Gangapur Dam Complex has 24% water storage as against 36% of the last year. Therefore, this year, Nashikites had not faced the crisis of water cut in summer. The situation was similar in the district. It is a past experience that rains take a break after raining heavily in early June. Given this whimsical nature, the available water reserves will have to be used sparingly.
The IMD has put Konkan, Goa and Central Maharashtra on red alert following the possibility of very heavy rainfall. In the meantime, the civic authorities will hold an important meeting on Monday to chaired by Mayor Satish Kulkarni to review water stock availability and decide on the possibility of water cuts in the city.
